Listening Lyrics

The music this week is a mix of a little bit of everything—each selection chosen with the help of my guest, Chris Tracy . The image shows half of his name because he was only on the show for half the time … which means he’ll be back! Chris lives here in Davis with his family and is deeply involved in the local music scene. He’s an accomplished drummer and plays in a couple of bands, so stay tuned...

So, the word of the day is slovenly. Yeah — slovenly. What do I mean by that? Well, to me, it’s music that’s a little messy, kinda careless, maybe even a bit dirty. Songs that aren’t trying too hard to be perfect — they just are. Sometimes that sound comes from the artist or producer just being… slovenly, plain and simple. Other times, it’s totally intentional — they want that rough edge, that hum...

This week on KDRT! In 2021, three middle-schoolers from Davis came together to form a band — and Hello Awkward was born! Fast-forward to today, and these young musicians are making serious noise. Meet Benjamin Brothers on lead guitar and vocals, Andrew Whang on percussion, and Atticus Yum on bass. In the KDRT studio this week on Listening Lyrics , they shine not just as rising musical talents, but...

Eddy Owt covers for Pieter this week and fittingly discusses cover songs -- what makes a good cover, and how does an artist make a cover their own? And he plays fun and sometimes surprising covers.

Heads up : This live recording comes with a few “authentic” technical hiccups (let’s call it character, not static). Luckily, the enthusiasm more than makes up for it—it practically jumps through the speakers. In the studio with me are Richard Jia and Gray  Eby of  MyDavisCalifornia , chatting—sometimes loosely, sometimes wildly off-track—about their website and the quirky little town we all love,...

Spend an hour with David Abramson and you’ll walk away feeling lighter, brighter, and a little more in love with the world. A fixture in Davis, David wears many hats—musician, activist, music teacher—but none of them fully capture his easy warmth and boundless optimism. He radiates joy in the most natural way, turning everyday moments into acts of connection. In this episode, David dives into his...

From Portland, Ore., to the heart of New Orleans— Ari Kohn followed his musical compass all the way south. In New Orleans, he discovered that music isn’t just heard, it’s felt. It’s in the ground beneath your feet, in the way people move, even in the rain on your skin. And yes—the food plays right along. This week on  Listening Lyrics,  Ari shares that journey. A Jazz Studies graduate from Tulane,...

I usually say, never start a summary with an apology. But today, I’ll make an exception. I want to apologize for not properly introducing this week’s show at the beginning of the program. That said, this week’s episode took a powerful turn. Ray Keck joined me for an hour of reflection on the tragic consequences of war—especially its toll on innocent children. The conversation was sparked by the ne...

Today we talk melancholy . For me, melancholy comes on with certain triggers. Let's play music around three of them: trains, hypnagogia and wind. Sit back and get into this wonderful playlist.